Our Team

Lindsey Zehel, Founder & Executive DirectorLindsey’s lifelong passion for helping animals and her background in law and policy laid the groundwork for DTA.  Throughout her career she has perpetuated changes in the areas of land use, wildlife conservation, and companion animals.  Her past work with the Sierra Club, Animal Welfare Institute, North Florida Land Trust, and the Oregon State Legislature has given her the ability to take a multi-faceted approach to the issues. After graduating from law school, Lindsey attended Lewis & Clark where she obtained an LLM in Animal Law.  While in school Lindsey focused her studies to the intricacies of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the interplay between indigenous communities and endangered species.  Lindsey is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and part of the Animal Law Section.

Lindsey Zehel, Esq., LL.M. Founder & Executive Director

Lindsey’s lifelong passion for helping animals and her background in law and policy laid the groundwork for DTA.  Lindsey’s practice focuses on issues at the intersection of animal and environmental law, emphasizing the impacts of toxic chemicals and natural resource extraction on ecosystems. Throughout her career, she has perpetuated substantial reform on matters impacting land use, wildlife conservation, and companion animals. 

Lindsey holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, a Juris Doctorate ,and a Master of Law concentrating on wildlife law and policy. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Rachel kotkin, director of operationsRachel is an integral part of DTA and has been with our organization since its founding.  She shares her skills and ingenuity to advance the mission and direction of DTA. Rachel has a background in law, economics, and political science.  She has worked in nonprofit and public interest law with organizations in Florida, California, and Oregon specializing in immigration law. Rachel currently works in the private sector for a company facilitating tax deferred real estate transactions and self directed retirement accounts. Rachel is a member of both the Washington State Bar Association and Oregon Bar Association and is active with the Oregon Legal Heritage Committee.

Rachel Kotkin, Esq. Director of Operations

Rachel is an integral part of DTA and has been with our organization since its founding.  She shares her skills and ingenuity to advance the mission and direction of DTA. Rachel has a background in law, economics, and political science.  She has worked in nonprofit and public interest law with organizations in Florida, California, and Oregon specializing in immigration law. Rachel currently works in the private sector for a company facilitating tax deferred real estate transactions and self directed retirement accounts.

Rachel is a member of both the Washington State Bar Association and Oregon Bar Association and is active with the Oregon Legal Heritage Committee.

Casey Shook, Pro Bono Attorney

Casey is a graduate of Willamette University College of Law, and is a member of the Oregon State Bar Association. She is currently completing a graduate program in Animal Shelter Leadership through the University of Florida, and is very passionate about companion animal welfare. Casey joined DTA through the Virtual Advocacy Internship Program, and is heavily involved in the organization's development and strategic operations. 

 
Gabriel Coronel, Policy Advisor - EcuadorBorn and raised in Paute, Ecuador, Gabriel’s guidance has perpetuated DTA’s success in the region. As a Certified National Tour Guide, Gabriel passionately shares his knowledge about Ecuadorian culture, the páramo ecosystem, and the ever-present threat of extractivism in Ecuador. Gabriel studied Tourism Development and Management at the University of Azuay and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language at the University of Barcelona. Gabriel enjoys salsa dancing, hiking, and traveling.

Gabriel Coronel, Policy Advisor - Ecuador

Born and raised in Paute, Ecuador, Gabriel’s guidance has perpetuated DTA’s success in the region. As a Certified National Tour Guide, Gabriel passionately shares his knowledge about Ecuadorian culture, the páramo ecosystem, and the ever-present threat of extractivism in Ecuador.

Gabriel studied Tourism Development and Management at the University of Azuay and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language at the University of Barcelona.

Gabriel enjoys salsa dancing, hiking, and traveling.

Belén Moya, Outreach Coordinator - EcuadorBelén is a biologist based in Cuenca, Ecuador. After graduating from the Universidad del Azuay she began working with DTA as the Cuenca based outreach coordinator to foster relationships with the organization’s local partners.  Belén is also the founder of a project to develop sewage systems for school children in rural areas. Belén loves all animals, especially dogs, and implemented a program to sterilize stray dogs living at the university she attended.  Belén lives with her rescue dog Oli who was taken in by DTA during the organization’s first trip to Cuenca.

Belén Moya, Outreach Coordinator - Ecuador

Belén is a biologist based in Cuenca, Ecuador. After graduating from the Universidad del Azuay she began working with DTA as the Cuenca based outreach coordinator to foster relationships with the organization’s local partners.  Belén is also the founder of a project to develop sewage systems for school children in rural areas.

Belén loves all animals, especially dogs, and implemented a program to sterilize stray dogs living at the university she attended.  Belén lives with her rescue dog Oli who was taken in by DTA during the organization’s first trip to Cuenca.

Marie Turcott, Pro Bono Attorney

Marie is a graduate from the law program at the University of British Columbia where she earned Specializations in Environmental and Natural Resource Law, and Aboriginal Law. Marie joined DTA as an intern in 2019 and contributed to several projects in Ecuador that summer. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in our rodenticide campaign efforts [add hyperlink to rodenticide campaign?] in Canada, with local advocates and government leaders widely referring to and relying on her research paper, "Defending Nature Against Rodenticides" (2021) to advance this issue. She currently practices law as a commercial litigator [or commercial lawyer, whichever you think people will understand] at an international corporate law firm in Vancouver, British Columbia.

 
 

Hadley

Coming from rural North Florida, Hadley is the product of the hard work and dedication of DTA. Kept in a cage for over a year with limited access to food and water, she was discovered while DTA founder Lindsey was investigating a fraudulent horse rescue. Hadley now enjoys her days in Portland, Oregon where she can play freely, snack as much as she wants, and enjoy plenty of snuggles on the couch. She is a vocal supporter of spay and neuter initiatives but isn’t so sure about leash laws.